Country Ham Cheesecake  

Ingredients: Six tablespoons of melted butter, Three cups of oyster crackers (small saltine crackers), One cup grated Parmesan cheese,, Four eight ounce packages of softened cream cheese, Seven large eggs, Two cups of grated Swiss cheese, One cup of half inch cubes of ham, , One third cup of freshly chopped chives, One teaspoon salt, and pepper to taste. Optional Ingredients: Sliced fresh mushroom, chopped red bell peppers, artichoke hearts or green onions.  

Preparation: Preheat oven to 300º F. Brush a nine inch diameter springform pan with one tablespoon of the melted butter. Place crackers in a food processor and grind into crumbs. Mix oyster cracker crumbs grated Parmesan and remaining melted butter in a bowl. Reserve one half cup of the crumb mixture for the topping. Pour remaining crumbs into a prepared pan and press onto bottom and sides of pan. Place in refrigerator while preparing the filling.

          Place cream cheese and eggs into a large bowl and beat until smooth with an electric mixer. Stir in remaining ingredients and pour into prepared pan. Sprinkle the half cup of remaining crumbs over filling and place pan onto baking sheet with a rim. Cook until filling is firm, about two hours.